Walter Edward Foster (April 9, 1873-November 14, 1947) was a New Brunswick politician and businessman. He became leader of the province's Liberal Party in 1916 and swept to victory in the 1917 election. His government established the first department of health in 1918, gave women the vote in 1919 and created the province's power commission in 1920 before resigning in 1923. He entered federal politics becoming Secretary of State of Canada in 1925 but failed to win a seat in the that year's federal election or again in the 1926 federal election. Foster was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 1928 serving as Speaker from 1936 to 1940.